Inc., a telecommunications...

TECHNOLOGYABRAXAS INTERNATIONAL

September 17, 1991

TECHNOLOGY

ABRAXAS INTERNATIONAL Inc., a telecommunications company based in Casselberry, said Monday it has signed an agreement with Stratus Computer Inc. of Marlboro, Mass., to provide software for the Stratus computer used in advanced business telephone systems by American Telephone & Telegraph Co. Abraxas telecommunications software enables the Stratus computer to process voice and electronic data transferred through the AT&T switching network. Abraxas employs about 60 in software development and has annual sales of about $6 million.

THE ECONOMY

INVENTORIES HELD by U.S. businesses slipped to a two-year low in July, the government said Monday in a report that economists said showed businesses continue to be wary over the prospects of an economic upturn. The Commerce Department said business inventories fell 0.3 percent in July to $804.45 billion, their lowest level since July 1989. The latest drop was the sixth in a row. Business sales rose for the fourth month in a row in July, advancing a healthy 0.8 percent to $541.01 billion.

COMPUTERS

MICROSOFT CORP. Monday unveiled three personal-computer programs for people who may be intimidated by high-powered spreadsheets, word processors and desktop publishing software. The world's largest PC software maker, based in Redmond, Wash., introduced Microsoft Publisher, Money and a new version of Microsoft Works. All run under Microsoft's Windows operating system and are aimed at individuals and small businesses.

ACROSS THE STATE

AN INVESTMENT group headed by Detroit real estate mogul George F. Valassis and other directors of Stoneridge Resources Inc. has infused $6.5 million into the company. Valassis Enterprises agreed Aug. 30 to buy about $5 million in Stoneridge notes. Also, three group members each agreed to buy $500,000 of the company's Series B notes. The agreements were disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Stoneridge, based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is the parent of Major Realty Corp., a real estate concern based in Orlando; and Orange-co Inc., a citrus company based in Lake Hamilton.